BimSPARQL: Domain-specific functional SPARQL extensions for querying RDF building data

Tracking #: 1787-3000

Authors: 
Chi Zhang
Jakob Beetz
Bauke de Vries

Responsible editor: 
Guest Editors ST Built Environment 2017

Submission type: 
Full Paper
Abstract: 
In this paper, we propose to extend SPARQL functions for querying Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) building data. The official IFC documentation and BIM requirement checking use cases are used to drive the development of the proposed functionality. By extending these functions, we aim to 1) simplify writing queries and 2) retrieve useful information implied in 3D geometry data according to requirement checking use cases. Extended functions are modelled as RDF vocabularies and classified into groups for further extensions. We combine declarative rules with procedural programming to implement extended functions. Realistic requirement checking scenarios are used to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach and indicate query performance. Compared with query techniques developed in the conventional Building Information Modeling domain, we show the added value of such approach by providing an application example of querying building and regulatory data, where spatial and logic reasoning can be applied and data from multiple sources are required. Based on the implementation and evaluation work, we discuss the advantages and applicability of this approach, current issues and future challenges.
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Decision/Status: 
Accept

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Review #1
Anonymous submitted on 22/Jan/2018
Suggestion:
Accept
Review Comment:

After the previous revisions, the paper can now be accepted without modifications.

Review #2
Anonymous submitted on 31/Jan/2018
Suggestion:
Accept
Review Comment:

This manuscript was submitted as 'full paper' and should be reviewed along the usual dimensions for research contributions which include (1) originality, (2) significance of the results, and (3) quality of writing.

Thank you for the revision and your comments during the review process.